Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favourited or alerted!

Schwarzien.D'Seventh (I'm glad you liked Enma being in this chapter? I like the thought of Enma having a semi-important/very-important role in this story because his Flame offers unique turns to the story.

I'm sorry that the flashbacks were confusing – did you understand them in the end or do I need to explain them? It's mostly triggers that set them off and that's why they aren't in the proper order.

Tsuna was just feeling agitated I'm guessing and that's why he had a go at them lol! And yes, the classmates did have their memories wiped, otherwise the news would have spread and Tsuna wouldn't have gotten any peace lmao)

Guest (Here's the next chapter! Hope you didn't have to wait that long!)

LadyLexius (It wouldn't be a main pairing at any rate, because of how hard it would be to incorporate if I did get it in at all...

Tsuna's just sort of accepting that Tsunayoshi is real and that there's no way to get around it. There's not much more he can do but trust the voice in his head, when all Tsunayoshi doing is looking after him anyway.

I'm glad you like my portrayal of the characters! I'm not too sure of the final pairing – if there'll be a final pairing or if everyone will just keep skirting around the manner...I guess a 'harem' wouldn't be too farfetched in the end haha...)

MilkTeaLord (I'm glad you liked the chapter! When/If it happens, I'll get 7227 in when possible!)

NoirxAnge (It's no promise about 7227, but I'm glad you're showing interest lol. Sticking the memories in the way I did is the only way I thought would make the most sense, even if they aren't seamless.)

xxxKimi-chan (Haha, you seem so happy that I mentioned 7227. Your top pairings are some of the rarest sort of ones, aren't they lol? I'll admit I like all three too though, so I can't really say anything.

We got used to him walking around now. He sleeps in the oddest places and constantly is losing fur. He also likes to get behind the TV, but the most annoying trait he has is that he bites ankles. I tend to cross and then uncross my feet when typing and he thinks it fun to pounce on them and bite down lol.

Yeah, I was hoping to become a veterinarian (surgeon) when I'm older. Right now I've just gotten my GCSE results and got accepted into further education. From there I'll get my A-Levels (hopefully) and then get into a University to do a degree in veterinary!

I know how you feel because I get really emotional for animals too. My first week at a vet's was last year, and a stray cat was taken in at the beginning of the week, early Monday morning. I was allowed to feed him and pet him during free time and was very upset when I came in on the Thursday morning and found out he'd passed away due to a septic infection.

If I thought the last chapter was hard, this one was even harder lmao. I got as far as –

"I can reinforce your mind, or divert his Flames if Bouche-san attempts to use them against you."

- And then I was stuck for the longest time. I wasn't sure if I wanted it to be the Millefiore or Vendicare that caused the problems for Tsuna, but using the Vindice seemed easier because Byakuran had been introduced and didn't recognise Tsuna.

Yay, lol! Let's be weird together lmao. I just can't help but smile when I read some of these reviews haha!

Hope you like this chapter!)

TotalAmuto (Look at your enthusiasm lol! All caps, haha! It wouldn't be anything like a main pairing, but I have some idea on how to get 7227 interaction into the story!)

Mangopudding (Ah, it definitely isn't the best of places to stay at, in canon or in this story, I agree with you there.

Yup, Enma and Tsuna have a close and special relationship! I liked it for the plot. Lol. That's my reasoning.

Tsuna's definitely starting to accept Tsunayoshi and trust him more, no doubt!

Only really Enma here – barely – but I'll get the others in soon!)

Yuu3 (Reborn seems to be that sort of person to me, lol. He doesn't mind caring for Tsuna, but doesn't want others to really find out that he has a soft spot when he's built his reputation on being uncaring.

I'm not too sure on any of the characters really, but I like to give myself the benefit of the doubt with this being an AU so I don't have to keep them completely the same. I don't want the changes to be incredibly drastic, however.

Hibari, Tsundere? Probably lmao! Only in absolute secret, with no one finding out lol and probably something small – a secret cuddler? I could imagine that haha...Hibari cuddling up to whoever's next to him!

In retrospect, Tsuna's parents probably realised after it had all transpired that Vendicare probably wasn't the best place to send him to, but they were running out of options and wanted Tsuna to be cured of Tsunayoshi since they perceived him as something bad.

I don't want to say too much, but I wouldn't say that Timeteo, Tsuna's parents and the Vendicare are working together, per se, just that they are coincidentally interconnected because of Tsuna.

Here's the next chapter for you!)

Mellisa (Here's an update!)

Catxmelons (I can see you're excited about the thought of 7227 lmao! I'll get it in whenever/if I can, but don't hold your breath!)

Soul Vrazy (Lol, 'uke pair'... So true...Anyway, I'm glad you liked it!)

Shanagi95 (Okie dokie! I'll get him in when possible!)

Pokermaniac039 (Here's the update! Sorry, I didn't get anything that you asked for...Bermuda isn't here but he'll be in soon, I think! I'd have had Tsuna explain his past, but he doesn't really know it all in detail so there's nothing for him to say)

SachielAngelo (A lot of people are interested in 7227, but, like I've said to others, it won't be much of a main pairing. I'm glad you like the chapter and Enma's incorporation into the story! About the class, most of them were knocked out and the ones that were awake had their memories altered accordingly. I like to think the explosion was blamed on Gokudera lol...

I go back to pretty much full time school on the 5th of September but, because I'm only doing four subjects, that means I could have up to three hours of math a day in a five hour day haha...not looking forward to it. I know how you feel about homework and exams...I've just had my GCSE results back recently – but I got the grades I was hoping for and extra!)

BrokenBlackCat (Yup, a lie. That was the easiest way to make Tsuna forget Tsunayoshi and keep him calm. Vendicare was a mistake definitely, but I like to think Nana was at the end of her tether and just wanting her Tsuna back to the way he was supposed to be instead of Tsunayoshi.)

SelfcreatedCharacter (The 7227 question was mostly out of curiosity. It wouldn't be anything major. Everyone's bias because they've always been on the receiving end of Tsunayoshi's rage so they don't find it protection as it is dangerous. They didn't know the danger of Vendicare – it was just a budding research facility then, young when Tsuna was smaller – and, at their wits end because of Tsunayoshi, decided it was best to try everything they could to help Tsuna. The Vendicare would have arranged meetings weeks in advance for relatives to visit, so they could Tsuna up and make sure that no wounds or anything were visible so they weren't expected. And yup! Enma survived because of them!

If you mean rambles as in reviews, then yes, I like rambling. I don't know why, but I think it's because I'm prone to it myself haha! I managed Reborn into here, but Bermuda's probably in the next chapter)

Tujing (I'm trying to get the past in bits and pieces without it being confusing or overwhelming! And Tsuna's sort of accepted the inevitability that is Tsunayoshi because there's nothing he can do about it lol.

The 7227 question was for curiosity but I can see where you're coming from about the borderline obsessive brother. I think Tsunayoshi would be the sort that had a severe complex for Tsuna haha...)

XxKatelynnexX (Yup, you're on time! I can't say the same for myself, this chapter was very late...I'm somewhat ashamed of myself haha...

It was upsetting, I didn't cry but I had that sort of feeling where you're deeply upset and almost cry. I had to blink a few times just to make sure.

Tsunayoshi isn't just going to sit back if Tsuna's in danger. He's doting and protective so if taking over keeps Tsuna from getting hurt badly, he'd do it lol. Even if nobody's happy about it.

I'm glad the chapter cleared things up for you, and I'm glad you like my ideas!

I'll get 7227 in if it's possible!

And his name is Smudge, because of this adorable little grey smudge under his chin!)

Tora-chan83 (You can vote for as many as you want – it just means that I try and get those characters in when possible, so Luce and Byakuran is fine, just not now!

Since magick is a theme of this story, summoning creatures such as Natsu wouldn't be too farfetched. Adult Lambo will eventually be a roommate of Tsuna along with Ryohei, and I-Pin was going to be an adult as well, roomed with the other girls such as Hana, Chrome and Kyoko. I'm honestly not too sure of Kawahira though lol, sorry...

Either way, thank you for the suggestions!)

Vickibla (Nah, it wouldn't be a main pairing if it made its way into the story. More of a support/side sort of pairing. Glad you liked the chapter and snippets of past!)

Neolazer (Ryohei was in there. Once. Briefly. The point is, he was there for maybe six paragraphs at most lmao. 7227 wouldn't be main but it could be included. So could 2700/0027, whichever way you wanted it haha)

Shiro Zaffiro di Lussaria (Can I just say I like your penname? I'm just going to casually put that out there...

I'm glad you like the story and here's the next update. 7227 is an uncertainty, I'm not making any promises, but I'm not crossing it out completely considering all the responses that are interested in it!

I'll try to bring in the characters you want as soon as possible!)

Monogatari no Shiori (I have some ideas for what his parents reactions are/were as a result but I still have to completely outline it all, if you understand...

I think Enma was half for plot, and half because I wanted Tsuna/Tsunayoshi to actually have a positive relationship with someone, not a relationship where Tsuna respects the person while Tsunayoshi wants to throttle them.

Some people are interested as a pairing and some just as brotherly interaction like you too. I have yet to decided if/how any interactions will occur)

Dark Murcielago (Glad you like the story and I'll try get in Ryohei and Lambo at some point!)

Syliva-san (Haha, I'm happy you like the relationship between the two! But nope, the past isn't going to come in soon I don't think. It'd be too much all at once. And Hibari is the very essence of unpredictability lmao.

I'm a bit like that with Tsuna as well lol...so long as he's included with a seme, then I like the pairing! Tsuna's just that sort of person lmao)

Guest 2 (Okie dokie, and you're welcome!)

Ezcap1st (Okay! And isn't that the truth, haha, who is more protective of Tsuna rather than Tsunayoshi? Glad you liked the chapter and the 0027 interactions!)

3 cups 0f tea (I'm glad you like the story! And Fon/Tsuna is one of my guilty pleasures, I'll admit. I don't know why I like it, but I really do. Lol. That's my reasoning.

I'm sorry if my tenses don't quite stay the same, but I write chunks of chapters at different points. I might write some of it one morning and then not touch it for several hours or a day or two and then everything changes direction...hopefully it isn't anything too severe, though it's obviously noticeable if you picked up on it.

Yup, the dorm arrangement is steadily making its way to that point!

Chapter Ten Reply: Haha, that's perfectly fine! (If I can get it in lol))

Myriam (I'm happy you like the story/chapter and the way I brought Enma into the story. I'm glad you're starting to make sense of the memories and such and that you like the idea of Vendicare!

For Tsunayoshi and Tsuna, I have an idea for it, though the relationship wouldn't be anything huge for either of them lol...Don't worry, I have it – mostly – under control. At least, I like to think that way)

You're welcome for the chapter, and here's an update!)

Nijiiro no sekai (I have absolutely no idea. Would you like some in there? I was probably going to have Chrome and Mukuro as siblings...)

Sleepdeprive91 (Well, here you go! An update!)

KitsuneNaru (It might end up being there because of majority votes, but if you don't like the thought of it that much, don't worry, it wouldn't be anything major. If need be, I could always put a warning for you – and others – should it ever get to that point?)

Raining Silver (I'm just glad that I've actually pulled of Multiple Personality Disorder as it is. So many times I've confused myself wondering 'is it Tsuna or Tsunayoshi? Who do I write it at in this moment of time?' lol. I have no honest idea of how a person would react if they found out that someone periodically took over their body, so I just put in what my reaction would have been haha...

No promises about 7227, but I don't think that it'd be completely straight out romantic either, the way that I have some ideas for it. Like I said, no promises though.

I'm glad that you like Tsunayoshi and Enma's involvement though!

Vendicare is somewhat different to canon but it definitely wasn't the best place for Tsuna.

Gokudera has his reasons, mostly awe of a Sky Flame, but I'll have him explain at some point!

I like Fon too lmao. I'm ashamed to say that may have influenced his involvement in this story...I'll try and have more interaction between Tsunayoshi and others – but at the moment he isn't too fond of Mukuro!

I've noticed that Hibari is a lot of peoples' choice, but I struggle to write him correctly so I guess that's why I'm afraid of writing him too much lol...)

berrysplashQT (You're excited about it too like some others lol! No promises about 7227, but I'll try my best! And okay for the hint lmao)

Colorful Swirl King (I want to start of random and say that it was hard for me to write your username. I'm from the UK and I almost wrote the first part as 'Colourful' completely out of habit. I deleted it a couple of times lmao.

Yup! Fluffyness! I never knew I was capable of it to be honest, but if that's what someone interprets it as, then it's fluffyness!

I'll try and get Spanner and Shouichi in, sure! I'm glad you couldn't stop squealing, lol, I feel like that sometimes about books and fanfiction and life in general lmao. I'm not making any promises about 7227 but I'd be trying my best to get some into the story at some point.

With magick, anything's possible! But I doubt that'd happen, sorry...though, it might be cute enough for a oneshot on the side if I ever got round to it or had the motivation to...

Anyway, don't worry about the ranting, I tend to ramble and rant myself!

Here's an update!)

Mokujiroku No Kami (I'm glad you like the story! I listened to the music, but I couldn't quite get it myself, haha...that song sounds too nice for the themes my story has lmao...

Chapter Three Reply: I've noticed that I'm quite bad, at some points, for cliffhangers haha!)

Eclipsed Flower (Somewhat HDWM Tsuna – perhaps a bit more violent and nasty lol...

Chapter Two Reply: Mukuro is that sort of lovable person lol – I remember putting at one point that I've sort of portrayed him as a closet pervert lmao. Glad you like Tsunayoshi!)

Anne Fatalism Dilettante (I haven't gotten that far into Reborn to be honest. It's interesting to me, but I have an incredibly short attention span and so I never got further than about fifty episodes.

I'm very glad you like this story, however!

I have no idea what I can write in reply to your review, just that I'm happy you appear to like it so much.)

Quin1989 (Glad you like those points of the story!

For Timoteo, I don't believe he could know all about it with information. He didn't about Tsunayoshi or his stay in Vendicare and he's only related to Tsuna in the fact that Timoteo knows Iemitsu and Nana.

Gokudera's reasoning will be explained in due course, but not many people are really that concerned over it, so I didn't find it imperative to say straight away why Gokudera calls Tsuna the 'Tenth' until Tsuna asks him.

Hope that makes sense to you!)

HotChocolate (Thank you!)

Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

Chapter Eleven – Some Not So Simple Moments

Tsuna splashed his face gently with water from the sink before he sighed heavily and lifted his head to stare at his reflection in the mirror, the tap still running. He'd run away and hid himself in the bathroom to collect his thoughts after the conversation with his roommates. He felt a little bad about leaving Enma behind with them, when they'd probably grill him for information.

Enma-kun can look after himself; don't worry too much about him Tsuna. How are you?

Hesitantly approaching that part in his mind, Tsuna revealed to Tsunayoshi that he felt mostly okay. Tsunayoshi could probably tell how he felt but was polite and courteous enough to ask him directly instead of assuming. Tsunayoshi still scared him. Not much had changed there, but Tsuna had gained some sort of respect for him to a certain degree.

Just a smidgen of respect though. Tsunayoshi terrified the life out of him.

There was a timid knock at the door and Tsuna heard Enma call through softly, asking if he was okay. Tsuna replied in the positive as he twisted the tap off, reaching for a towel and drying his face and hands as he walked towards the doorway, flipping the lock of the door and tugging it open, coming eye to nose with Enma who was directly on the other side. The redhead was about an inch or two taller than him.

Everyone is taller than us.

Tsunayoshi sounded apologetic, as if their height issues were his fault. Tsuna almost smiled. Almost.

"Is everything okay, Enma?"

"You were taking your time, Tsuna-kun. I – we – were worried."

Tsuna peered past the other teen to observe the rest of the room. The first person he met the eyes of was Gokudera, who sat up straighter on the couch as he stared at the brunette in return, worry and apprehension on his face.

"Then I'm sorry for worrying you all." Tsuna bowed his head in apology, holding in the flinch he almost gave as Enma reached forward to card slim fingers through his hair at the back of his head. Tsunayoshi seemed pleased by the action, though the reaction of Gokudera was quite explosive.

"What are you doing to the Tenth? Get your hands off of him!"

Tsuna lifted his head, and Enma's hand remained in his hair. The redhead was staring placidly at Gokudera, who had lurched to his feet. The silver haired teen was seething, his jaw clenched and his teeth grit.

"It's okay Gokudera-kun." Tsuna took half a step back so Enma's hand slid free from his brown locks. "Enma was just showing his concern."

Gokudera settled down, crossing the room towards him and elbowing Enma out of the way to the shorter teen's yelp. Looking down at Tsuna, Gokudera first moved to press his hand to Tsuna's forehead, checking his temperature, before taking hold of Tsuna's hand, squeezing it gently in both of his own. He didn't say anything, just kept his hands clasped around the brunette's.

Getting uncomfortable, Tsuna carefully worked his hand free, moving to pat Gokudera's arm in an attempt to placate the other. He got a weak smile in return, concern plain on the other's features.

Swallowing slowly, Tsuna turned to face Enma who stared impassively at him in return. Tsuna shuffled his weight and then mumbled, "Can...can you tell me of what happened in V-Vendicare?"

The room hushed for a long moment before Mukuro pushed to his feet and asked quietly, "How do you know about Vendicare, Tsuna-chan?"

Enma answered for him, twisting to face the rest of the room as he murmured, "Tsuna-kun was sent there when he was six, and left when he was ten. Left is putting it lightly, however, only Tsunayoshi-kun knows how they got out in full detail."

"I asked Tsuna-chan," Mukuro narrowed his eyes disapprovingly at Enma who cowered under the intense look. Tsuna jumped to his defence, weakly muttering, "I've had my memories altered. Enma knows more than I do."

"Would you let me in there to coax those memories out?" Mukuro asked hopefully, and Tsuna flinched at the violent response of Tsunayoshi against his mind. Tsunayoshi was vehemently against the idea of Mukuro getting anywhere inside of their shared head. Tsuna was receiving flashes of past events where he had been younger and altered with Mist Flames. The result had been losing Enma, almost five years of memory and Tsunayoshi himself.

"N-No thank you," Tsuna got out, lifting a hand to rub at a space behind his ear to try and alleviate the headache Tsunayoshi's thrashing and panicking had caused. The pain was easily and quickly smoothed by Tsunayoshi in ways of apology.

Mukuro sighed, sounding put out before he reached out, ruffled Tsuna's hair and leaned close to smile face to face with him as he replied, "That's fine by me. If you don't want anything doing, I won't do anything."

"Then please move your hand from my head. It's making Tsunayoshi very uncomfortable."

"Does he even like me?"

"Tsunayoshi hates everyone aside from Enma," Tsuna deadpanned, and Mukuro cringed away. Tsuna winced himself before he mumbled, "It's not your fault. Tsunayoshi has an intense hatred for Mist Flames because they were what altered my memories in the first place. Bouche." The name left him unbidden and Tsuna wrinkled his nose.

"Bouche-san is a member of the board," Gokudera suddenly spoke up, "From here, someone who works under and with the chairman of Vongola Academy, Timoteo-san; Nono."

For a long and frightening moment, Tsuna couldn't hear anything. Everything went silent and his vision narrowed down to a rather fine point as his mind when almost completely blank. All of his senses came back to him in a rush so suddenly that Tsuna staggered and he felt something inside of him burn with hatred and contempt.

Briefly, Tsuna thought it was Tsunayoshi that was feeling so loathingly but it registered that it was himself that was thinking dark things about Timeoteo and Bouche. Then, starting up as a flicker, Tsunayoshi's own feelings reared up and Tsuna was hard pressed to stop the other from taking over and hunting down the two.

He realised he must have been still too long because a hand suddenly fell on his shoulder and gave him a timid shake, a low voice murmuring in question if he was okay.

No. He wasn't.

Tsuna didn't know if he'd said it out loud or not, but no more questions were asked as Tsuna struggled to reel in his emotions and stifle Tsunayoshi from taking over. He felt as if he was slipping in and out of conscious thought and then Tsunayoshi surged to the front.

Bracing himself to black out Tsuna instead found himself shoved to the side as Tsunayoshi took control of most functions, viciously snarling and causing those nearest to him to back away.

Tsunayoshi clenched his fists, determined to march out of the room and find Bouche and Timoteo when it came to his knowledge that Tsuna was hanging back, actually aware of what was happening. That hadn't happened in years, not since they were two. Tsunayoshi wasn't sure if he should be worried or proud.

Any pride he did have faded into concern almost immediately when Tsunayoshi realised Tsuna had access to things he hadn't before, mainly memories that Tsunayoshi had tried and succeeded to hide from him before. Tsunayoshi relinquished straight away, and shoved Tsuna violently forward.

Tsuna staggered as control came back as soon as he'd lost it, aware of everyone staring at him warily. Only Enma looked unaffected, relaxed and watching him with a lax expression, eyelids drooped slightly and giving him a sleepy sort of saddened look.

Lifting a shaky hand, Tsuna clasped it over his mouth as his eyes drifted down to watch his feet. Tsunayoshi was frantically trying to hide what Tsuna had seen, but the damage had been done. Tsuna had seen.

"Gokudera-kun," Tsuna heard his voice break as he spoke, and Gokudera stiffened to attention, stepping closer.

Lifting his head to stare at the silver haired male, Tsuna asked, tone inquisitive and a tad sharper than normal, "Bouche-san and Timoteo-san. Are they at the school now and is it possible to meet them?"

"Tsuna – or am I talking to Tsunayoshi? Is this really the best thing you can think to do?"

"It's Tsunayoshi. Tsuna relinquished willingly, so don't freak out about it. And yes. This really is the best fucking thing I can think to do. Bouche and Timoteo ruined our lives; I'm going to ruin theirs."

Reborn grimaced before choosing his next words carefully.

"They're strong magick users, Tsunayoshi. What if the same outcome is a result of your trying to attack them?"

Tsunayoshi came to a stop, causing Enma to bump into his back where the redhead had been following him closely. In fact, Tsunayoshi had an entourage of people following; everyone from his dorm minus Hibari, though Tsunayoshi had the prickling feel at the back of his neck that the prefect was somewhere nearby in case fighting ensued.

Reborn's words had hit with the force of a train and Tsunayoshi felt his mouth twist down in a frown, nearly scowling at his thoughts.

"Is there any way to block Mist magick?" Tsunayoshi twisted to face Reborn, a serious expression on his face as he looked up at the elder.

"Only with another Mist user." Reborn's eyes drifted towards Mukuro and Tsunayoshi followed the direction in which he was looking, upper lip twitching as he realised what the other was silently suggesting.

"Rokudo?"

"I'm the only Mist user you know, Tsunayoshi-kun."

"There's that one that tried to find Tsuna when I lost him," Tsunayoshi offered in rebuttal, before frowning to himself again as he remembered Mammon, "Though he wasn't the best...how is it that a Mist user could help anyway?"

"I can reinforce your mind, or divert his Flames if Bouche-san attempts to use them against you."

"What if I tried to use my own Flames to try and counteract his?" Tsunayoshi stared silently at Mukuro, and the taller teen shuffled slightly, as if feeling the intensity of the look.

"That would probably work too, Tsunayoshi-kun. However, it isn't guaranteed that your mind would be protected if even the smallest amount of Flame got by. Sky Flames are diverse, but only in that they have an aspect of every other Flame. The sheer strength they hold is immense as well, but their impact is never as severe as a pure Flame. Instead they sort of have their own power. Of course, you probably know all this."

"I don't know anything about this." Tsunayoshi let his hand flare up for a moment. "Only what Tsuna has been taught in lessons and that is meagre since he held no interest in learning about Flames. He always thought magick was somewhat tedious. I suppose I scared him off of it."

"I'd explain, but now doesn't seem the time for an impromptu lesson about Flames...though if you want to face with one of the most powerful men in the world, it might do you best to leave your revenge for another day, Tsunayoshi-kun."

Tsunayoshi let his upper lip curl in a silent snarl and stiffened when a hand dropped gently on his shoulder, prompting him to twist and face Yamamoto, who was watching him with an expression mixed between concerned and hesitation.

"Perhaps we could go back and talk about it, Tsunayoshi? I know you're angry, but it's never the best to rush in when you can wait and steal home with no worries later."

Tsunayoshi turned his head to snort into his shoulder, trying to muffle the laugh he had almost given, asking in a tone bordering incredulous, "Did you just use a baseball analogy?" He was tired all of a sudden, his anger dissolving away. His magick was still ever stretching and expanding within him, however, and his concentration was halfway placed into keeping it under control. He was disgruntled to admit that managing a large amount of magick, even with two consciences to house it in, was very hard work.

Yamamoto relaxed – as did most of the others around him, Tsunayoshi noted – and smiled slightly, chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and mumbled, "Yeah, I guess I did use a baseball analogy."

Lifting a hand, Tsunayoshi pinched the bridge of his nose before rubbing at a space beneath his eye. He could feel the buzz of magick underneath his skin and the air around him was distorting. He couldn't stay much longer without falling sway to the allure of power.

"I'm letting Tsuna forward now," he finally murmured, moving to scratching at his upper arm absently. Enma stopped the movement, grasping his hand tightly in his own.

"I'm sorry that you can't gain recompense for what you have suffered through, Tsunayoshi-kun. If you should wish to try and gain answers once more, I will support you, regardless of what the outcome may be."

Tsunayoshi let his mouth quirk into a smile, and he twisted his hand to wrap his fingers around Enma's in return.

"I know."

A moment later, Tsunayoshi let himself slip back, though he forgot to give Tsuna any warning as the shift between consciences happened. As a result, Tsuna crumpled, unable to brace himself in time, shock crossing his face as he knees promptly buckled.

Almost comically, Enma was dragged down with him and the two of them clashed heads, Enma yelping out in shock and because of the pain that was now radiating in his forehead. Tsuna had hissed out between his teeth at the shock and blinked between narrowed eyes at Enma, the redhead still sprawled out on top of him.

Tsuna didn't have to worry much about the extra weight on his abdomen for long, because someone wasted no time in helping the redhead to his feet and then offering support for Tsuna. The brunette could hear a simpering at the back of his head, Tsunayoshi apologising fervently, both for not giving any warning and for not completing his promise of doing something about Bouche and Timoteo.

Not mulling on what could have been, Tsuna reached for the hand that been offered to him and let himself get dragged off of the floor, feeling oddly jittery. There was an itch under his skin he knew he couldn't reach, as well, but Tsunayoshi whispered apologies for that, muttering something about magick and excesses that Tsuna just nodded his head to.

As he lifted his head again, Tsuna was met by the puzzled expression on Yamamoto's face, the one who had pulled him from the floor, and Tsuna realised he'd probably nodded to some sort of question he hadn't heard.

"So who is it then?" Gokudera asked, tone carefully neutral, and Tsuna's eyes drifted towards the other teen.

"It's me. Ah, sorry, that probably doesn't make much sense. It's Tsuna. I'm Tsuna."

Gokudera promptly wrapped an arm around Tsuna's shoulders and tugged him close. Tsuna tensed, but didn't react violently as Tsunayoshi would have done, just gently pushing at Gokudera's collarbone to try and get him to let go.

Finally free, Tsuna gave an exhausted smile before muttering, "I'm sorry for causing all this trouble. I-It wasn't Tsunayoshi's fault though, so don't blame him. I just..." he trailed off, anguish crossing his features and the urge to cry suddenly wedging itself deep as he lifted a hand to his mouth.

He could feel his eyes watering, but didn't feel embarrassed by it, whereas in any other circumstance he may have and finally the tears spilled down his cheeks as he lifted his arm up to rub across his eyes.

"I understand, Tsuna-kun," Enma offered softly, tugging his arm away so he could offer a handkerchief. The redhead was prone to keeping one on his person because it made it simpler to clean up after he may have injured himself.

"Want to explain for the rest of us?" Mukuro asked, shifting his weight to the side as he almost anxiously observed the crying brunette. He, like the others, Yamamoto, Gokudera and Reborn, were uncomfortable with tears since they didn't know how to deal with them.

"Tsuna-kun and Tsunayoshi-kun just want compensation for what they were forced through. They weren't given a choice in the matter, they weren't asked about their feelings. Everything was done without their permission and they just want to know the answers."

We were perfectly fine without interference. I kept us safe, didn't I? We weren't hurt; the magick was kept under control...

Tsuna dabbed at his face with the handkerchief as he heard Tsunayoshi's words echo within his head. Even though the other personality was still a foreign concept to him, Tsuna felt the pain that laced the other's voice, as well as heard the truth that was heard clearly within his tone.

"We were fine and they took our life from us," Tsuna whispered under his breath, ignoring the worried looks he was given for speaking about himself in plural form. Shoving the handkerchief back at Enma, he took in a deep, shaky breath and smiled as brightly as he could.

"If we go back now, there's still enough time for me to make dinner instead of us going to the cafeteria. Anybody interested?"

"Yes, I do understand the situation Bermuda. Perhaps better than you do yourself. I have known Tsunayoshi longer than you have." The old man reclined in his chair, holding the phone to his ear as he fought to keep a frown from his face, continuing to speak. "What you did to that poor boy was little more than torture – and no, I do not believe it was beneficial to magick users what you chose to do! – while we chose to help him. You know the terms of our agreement. You hold no sway over Tsunayoshi until he causes an incident of worthy notice and is labelled as dangerous. If it were my choice, I would never let you see him again, but I know that isn't how you work. Good day."

Ending the phone call that had visibly agitated him, the elderly male placed the device onto the large mahogany desk that was sat in front of him before he folded his hands on his lap, turning in his chair to peer out of the window, a frown marring his face.

"Timoteo-sama?" someone called out, looking in from doorway where one of the large ornate doors had been pushed open. "Did everything go well? Your magick spiked considerably within the last five minutes."

"Ah, Coyote. Just the man I wanted to see. Can you contact Iemitsu-san and tell him I require a meeting within? Do not, under any circumstances, let him deny this request. It is imperative that I tell him of the situation in person. Mention Tsunayoshi; that will catch his attention."

Coyote bowed at the waste before leaving, knowing not to question the chairman, simply walking away and shutting the door behind him.

Timoteo turned his chair to face the window again, fingers clasped together on his lap as he stared at the orange sky caused by the setting of the sun.

"I hope you know that I will not tolerate your presence in my school, Bermuda. If you see fit to come here, be prepared to face the consequences."

"Who is this pipsqueak, kora?" Colonello leaned in close to Tsuna's face, Tsuna edging back in discomfort, bumping against Reborn to try and avoid the blonde.

Reborn settled a hand against Tsuna's shoulder and simply proclaimed, "This is Sawada Tsunayoshi. I'm going to need your Rain Flame to keep him calm when we begin the tutoring."

Colonello leaned even closer and Tsuna sucked in a breath, the discomfort picking up a notch. Tsunayoshi retaliated by slamming his fist into Colonello's face, knuckles connecting with the elder's cheekbone hard enough for Tsuna to get a flare of pain in his hand.

Reborn's hand immediately slid down Tsunayoshi's arm to tightly grip his wrist as his other arm wound around the other's front, keeping the brunette pinned with his back to Reborn's chest. When the other finally stopped thrashing Reborn let his grip loosen.

"I'd refrain from getting too close. Tsunayoshi doesn't like people invading his personal space."

"I'm sorry," Tsuna said meekly, reaching forward to offer Colonello help to his feet since the blonde had been knocked onto his backside. "Tsunayoshi doesn't really like anyone that much."

Colonello jerked to his feet on his own, wiping blood away from his mouth as he stared at Tsuna, a wary expression on his face as he asked, "What the hell is going on? Reborn?"

"You're going to keep him calm while I instruct him, Colonello. How many times do I have to say it? His Sky magick is of an excessive amount and tends to well out of his control."

"Wouldn't a Lightning Flame work better for this? Barriers, kora?"

"You'd think it would, but we need Rain to keep him calm Colonello. Tsunayoshi is violent if he gets out, even more so when using magick."

Tsuna spoke up then, rubbing his jaw and looking to the side, "He can't help it. The magick is strong and the call of it is hard to ignore. It sort of unlocks more...basic sort of instincts, you know? Fight or flight, kill or be killed...survival..." He dropped his eyes to examine his palm as warm Sky Flames started to flicker into life around his fingers, coalescing into a spherical shape in his hand. Tsuna had control of it for a long of moment before it disappeared into itself and the brunette winced, his palm noticeably pink from being burnt.

"That's what this tutoring is for. I'm going to teach you how to use that magick, Dame-Tsuna, and to not rely on Tsunayoshi as much. You control that body, you control the magick, neither of them should be able to control you instead."

"What am I missing here, kora?!" Colonello sounded irritated at being left out, fingers probing his cheekbone to feel the extent of damage, and Reborn sighed heavily.

"Tsuna has another personality within him, Tsunayoshi. Tsuna is predominant most of the time, but as soon as magick comes into it, or if danger comes into it then Tsunayoshi is out to the front."

"Then why was I hit, kora?"

"Tsunayoshi didn't like you getting so close," Tsuna broke in, scratching the back of his head. "He, uh...is very protective of me, I suppose."

I have every reason to be Tsuna.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I've seen enough to realise that," Tsuna had moved his hand around to mumble into it, not entirely comfortable with speaking out loud to Tsunayoshi when others were nearby to hear. He was also twitching under the stare that Colonello was giving him and, eventually, Tsuna twisted to Reborn.

"So how are you going to tutor me?"

"Sun Flames are normally used for healing, though they can be offensively used. What I'm going to do, is throw concentrated Flames at you, nothing that'll hurt more than a small electrical shock, and I want you to use magick to defend yourself. Without letting Tsunayoshi take control."

Tsuna had moved to bite down on the side of his hand, ignoring the swell of threats that had started rising from Tsunayoshi to be hurled at Reborn. Some of them trickled out and Tsunayoshi barked angrily at Reborn with his moment of free time.

"What the hell do you get off on?! You're going to throw magick at him? What the fuck is wrong with you? Tsuna is sensitive! No way can you just throw Flame at him and not hurt him, I'm not letting y –" Tsunayoshi felt a sort of heaviness enter his limbs, and was suddenly aware of a blue flicker in the corner of his eye before Colonello's hand was gently settling on the inside of his elbow.

The anger he'd been feeling faded away into a sort of numbness, the previous rage not quite felt but definitely present. Some of it was directed at Colonello for using his Flames, but Tsunayoshi let the foreign magick work its way through his system, relaxing as was prompted and slunk back to let Tsuna come back forward.

Taking in a deep whoosh of air, Tsuna smiled weakly at Reborn, "I don't think Tsunayoshi is going to stand letting you throw magick at us."

Reborn leaned in close, his face opposite Tsuna's and apart by only a handful of inches, a smirk curving up his lips as he murmured, "Tsunayoshi doesn't have a say in this. As soon as he protests again, Colonello will intervene as needed and that will be that; he'll step back again."

Tsuna felt Tsunayoshi bristle at the words in the recesses of his mind, but the other could do nothing but sulk because Reborn's words were the truth.

"I-I suppose you're right." The moment that Tsuna's eyelids started to become heavy, Colonello's hand slipped away from his arm, and Reborn's smirk widened at the acquiescence the other had given.

Reborn pushed Tsuna back a few steps, lifting his right hand and letting Sun Flames light his ring up, facing the brunette who meekly lifted his own hand. Before anything happened, Reborn told Tsuna the incantation he would need to defend himself and the other nodded timidly.

Without even waiting to see if Tsuna was remotely ready, Reborn tossed a very mild spell at the younger teen and Tsuna yelped as it connected with his wrist. Reborn barely had time to defend himself before he had a snarling Tsunayoshi pinning him down, one burning hot hand gripping onto Reborn's jaw.

Colonello wasted no time, clasping his hand down onto the back of Tsunayoshi's neck and shoving copious amounts of soft Rain Flames into the brunette to force him to relax. He couldn't help but be a little worried for himself and Reborn when Tsunayoshi growled, even as his body went limp against his command and he slipped out of control.

Reborn pried the hot hand off of his face and proded the damaged skin with his fingertips, free hand lifting to rest on the back of Tsuna's head, the brunette hiding his mortified face against Reborn's shoulder, Colonello's hand still firmly on his nape.

"This is going to take some time," Reborn huffed out a heavy sigh, hand moving away from his stinging face to rake through his hair, his fedora long having been knocked off.

"Do I have to be here every time, kora?" Colonello asked, sounding exasperated and all Tsuna could do was whisper apologetically, telling Reborn that the tutoring didn't have to continue.

Needless to say, Reborn was adamant in teaching Tsuna to control every aspect of his life, magick and body included.

Tsuna bolted upright in his bed that night, hands fisted in the covers as he fought to regain his breath, panic jumping through his veins at a breakneck pace, nearly choking him in its intensity. He didn't care that his frantic actions might have woken up either of his slumbering roommates as he tumbled out of his bed and hurriedly made his way to the bathroom. He barely made it in time when he threw up into the toilet bowl, falling hard on his knees to the tiled flooring.

Tsunayoshi seemed to be sleeping deep in the back of his mind, and no more than this moment did Tsuna wish the personality awake to hide what he had seen, shove it away, lock it up even cut it out altogether because just thinking about it was making his stomach roll and, even though it was empty, he didn't hesitate in curling over the toilet again, body jerking in an attempt to get rid of the sickness he was feeling.

Lifting his hand, Tsuna started scratching insistently at his arm, trying to dig out something that was no longer there, despite the fact he could feel a phantom of it lodged under his skin. He choked down a sob, doing his best to keep silent now even if his retching before had been almost obscenely loud.

The conflicting feelings that were rocketing through him were all strong. He was relieved that his memories of bad times had been taken away, he was angry that they were taken in the first place, he was terrified of seeing something for what felt like the first time and how it associated with him...

He didn't want to remember, but he wished he hadn't had his memories taken and having remnants of a terrible past would have been just the same as remembering.

Dragging himself to his feet, Tsuna rest shaking, sweat slick hands against the edge of the sink, staring at his pale face in the mirror. His hair was plastered to his face with sweat, no doubt a result of the nightmare – memory, it wasn't a nightmare, he'd been through that – that had woke him up. As soon as his eyes had fallen shut he'd been assaulted straight away, plunged into a memory of pain, mingled with the taste of blood, the smell of antiseptic. It had been all too real feeling and Tsuna couldn't quite handle it as effectively as he would have liked to.

Tsuna uselessly heaved again, into the sink. All that came up was spittle and bile that burnt his throat, left a bitter taste in his mouth that he tried to spit away. Shaking hands came up from the edge of the sink reached for the toothpaste and his brush, frantically trying to scrub the taste away, vehemently ignoring that the sink was slick and shiny, dark with blood, his blood, with his hands, forearms and face all in the same state of being stained red.

His imagination was getting ahead of itself, projecting images and events that were long past.

The world tilted to the side briefly, and Tsuna stumbled into the living room with his toothbrush and toothpaste, collapsing onto the sofa as he continued vehemently brushing the inside of his mouth. Something about the mundane action was calming his nerves and his eyes moved about the room, trying to pick out the time in the dark from the clock hanging on the wall.

It was either two or three in the morning, the numbers being hard to pick out and blurry. Tsuna decided he didn't really need to go back to bed, not when his sleep would be haunted with images he didn't really want to be privy to.

There was a soft whispering in the back of his mind and suddenly Tsunayoshi was present again. Tsuna was vaguely reminded of the sensation of fingers running through his mind, combing through his most recent thoughts and memories. Tsunayoshi seemed to stiffen in his mind, speechless.

Then the apologies came in a huge rush that made Tsuna sink heavily into the sofa, swallowing the foam caused by the toothbrush in his mouth and grimacing before placing the brush onto the table. He tucked his legs up beneath him and hugged onto them, just listening to Tsunayoshi's babbles, hoping it would be enough to keep him awake because his eyelids felt too heavy.

Not even the promises of keeping the nightmares and terrors at bay were enough to prompt Tsuna back into sleep. He trusted Tsunayoshi, but there was a limit, and he was afraid that if even the smallest of memories flickered through, then that would be the last straw and he would start crumbling apart and fall to pieces.

If you won't sleep, go and get someone to sit with you. I can't support you like this, Tsuna...

"Can you support me at all? All you are is a disembodied voice in my head and...and..."

Exactly. Go and get someone before I get them for you.

Tsuna felt his limbs grow heavy as Tsunayoshi prepared to take over and fear skyrocketed inside of him at the thought of being lost and at the mercy of memories. Abruptly, ignoring his dizziness, Tsuna stood, wondering who he should get.

Who are you most comfortable with?

"I...I don't know."

You're comfortable with Fon, aren't you? Perhaps you should wake Reborn and have him contact the other...

Tsuna stumbled into the room, scratching insistently at his arm again until Tsunayoshi forced him to stop. He walked to the side of Reborn's bed, reaching out slowly to shake the other wake. He wasn't expecting Reborn to jerk around and grab his arm, jerking bolt right up in the bed and pointing a glowing hand towards his face.

Tsuna felt himself dissolve into tears, legs failing him as he dropped to the floor, one arm still extended above him by Reborn's grip. As soon as the other realised who it was, and what he was doing, he released Tsuna's arm.

"Tsuna? What's wrong?" Reborn stifled a yawn, flicking the side lamp on and stiffening as he realised Tsuna's state. The brunette was still pale and shivering, a sheen of sweat making his skin look shiny and clammy in the yellow lightning offered by the bulb. His eyes were already puffy, both from lack of sleep and because of his tears.

"C-Can you call F-Fon-senpai? Tsunayoshi t-thinks it's best I-I sit with someone w-who I'm comfortable with i-if I refuse to sleep."

"Tsuna, what's wrong?" Reborn repeated firmly, trying not to leave any room for any protests from the brunette

"Please, R-Reborn-senpai...p-perhaps later. I-I don't want to remember r-right now."

The memories were already hovering, snippets he could see out of the edges of his eyes in the dark corners of the rooms, clear enough for him to see before Tsunayoshi promptly snatched them away, something Tsuna was grateful for.

"I understand." Reborn swung his legs around and yanked Tsuna onto the bed next to him, reaching to the bedside table to pick up his phone, flicking through his contacts until he pressed down on one of them and lifted the phone to his ear.

"Fon? It's Reborn. Yes, I do know what the time is. Before you start complaining, I need you over here to help Tsuna. Yeah, something's wrong. He won't tell me what." Reborn reached out to press the backs of his fingers to Tsuna's cold cheek and was surprised when the brunette leaned into the touch, moving to hug his knees in the same sluggish motion.

"How soon could you get here? Perfect." Reborn ended the call and set the phone down beside him on the bed, peering at Tsuna who was staring blankly at the floor, fingers gripping tightly onto his knees. Reborn reached over to rest his hand gently on top of one of Tsuna's.

"If you ever need me I'll be here for you Tsuna."

"I'll say thank you on behalf of him." Tsunayoshi peered up at Reborn with tired eyes. "But he'll probably thank you again when he comes back. I'm just trying to protect him at the moment. He isn't ready. He'll probably never be ready." Tsunayoshi huddled up, trying to make himself as small as possible.

Tsunayoshi closed his eyes, hiding the brilliant orange.

"Tsuna's too gentle for something that harsh and I'm not prepared to pick up the pieces should something within him break."

Oh god, I'm sorry it took this long to write this chapter and get it posted. I am going to blame Square-Enix because within the past weeks I've been playing Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings and The World Ends With You.

I also had a very bad reaction to some painkillers in which I had a complete emotional breakdown and scared the life out of my mum in the next room when I suddenly burst into tears and couldn't stop for about a solid fifteen minutes. Prior to that, I'd had about eight or nine more 'moments' but none quite so severe.

Physiotherapy showed that the arch in my left foot might be collapsing, so on top of seeing a person for my back, I have to see a person for my feet as well.

Piled on top of all this was the stress of getting my exam results back which would determine whether or not I got into further education. (I passed!)

Overall, I'm sorry for the lateness and excuses and I hope this chapter makes up for it.

It doesn't look all that great in my opinion.

7227: 19 (I think it's probably going to happen, huh?)

Arcobaleno (Particular member?): 0
- Reborn: 15
- Fon: 8
- Skull: 1
- Luce: 1
Yamamoto Takeshi: 8
Gokudera Hayato: 3
Rokudo Mukuro: 11
Sasagawa Ryohei: 3
Hibari Kyoya: 14
Lambo: 2
Dino: 3
The Varia (Particular member?): 1
- Xanxus: 9
- Squalo: 1
- Belphegor: 2
Giotto: 8
G: 1
Knuckle: 0
Asari: 0
Alaude: 9
Daemon: 2
Enma: 5
Byakuran: 3
Basil: 2